Thursday, May 31, 2012

Happy Birthday to ME!

The same weekend of Harper's Baptism we celebrated my 29th birthday. We had a pool party at Aunt Mams- everyone was in town for the church service, so it was great to have an extra celebration.
Chatham and Harper always love seeing Ali and Curly!
Beth and the boys hung out with Chatham in the driveway playing with spray bottles before heading out back to take a dip.
HEY- I thought this was a party!?!?! Where are the cupcakes!!!!!
 

Harper and Jack had some cousin bonding time ont he back porch while the big boys went swimming.  And looky there......
CUPCAKES!!!!
** And for the record, I got the BEST present from Ali and Curly this year..... a tiara!! Just a little reminder that you can never grow out of princess status!!!! Here's to another year, my last one in my twenties!!!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Times they are a changing

I can't believe my little Harper is growing so fast! Today she rolled over (both ways) back to front several times, and tummy to back twice!!! Also, she ate just over an ounce of rice cereal. We've been feeding her rice cereal for about a week now (three times total) but this is the first time she hasn't spit out every bit- we made an ounce and a half and I'd guess she got an ounce digested. Such a big girl!! Of course I was too busy feeding her and cheering her on to take any pictures, but they're coming soon.

In other news, speaking of BIG changes... I am now a college graduate! That's right...as of 2:00 on Monday afternoon I complete the appeals process and recieved my associates degree from CVCC. Many of you don't know the long, LONG story that goes with this accomplishment and I will save you the saga- and just be happy I have a degree!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Harper's Baptism

One year ago today I was taking a pregnancy test and praying that THIS was the month that two lines would appear.
Now here we are a year later getting our little girl Baptised!! How Great our God is!!!!
 We had a wonderful day and Harper was all smiles! She slept through most of the ceremony. I love that Harper wore the same satin bib, white embroidered onesie, and white knit blanket that Chatham did three years ago. That is an amazing feat seeing that both of my sweet babies have reflux and normally spit up on every stitch of clothing I put on them.
 So many loved ones came to welcome our sweet girl into her life with Christ. Here is my side....
 Here is Devin's side...
 I love that Ali and Curtis are such wonderful Godparents to our kiddos- they have stood by us through many parenting trials through the last three years, and spoil our kids rotten!!!!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Chatham's favorite song!!

** While reading this post it is important to know that my sister "Aunt Beth" has two black labs Emily and Boomer.

So- Chatham LOVES music! He loves to listen "his CDs"- Tom Chapin, Anne Murray, and Raffi are some of our favs. But lately Chatham is really into Adele! We heard this song in the Dollar Store the other night and he was singing and dancing in the aisles.

Many of you will recognize this song- Rumor Has It. But Chatham thinks it says "Boomer" has it! He loves to sing Boomer has it, Boomer has it!


On our way to church Sunday we were listening to Boomer has it, and Chatham got a concerned look on his face. I asked him what was wrong and he said "Why doesn't Emily have a song too?" What a sweet heart he has!!!

Monday, May 14, 2012

4 month cutie!

4 Months already!!!
Harper has gotten SO big! She is in size 2 diapers and we're beginning to pull out the 3-6 month clothes. This weekend we'll be trying oatmeal for the first time. AND going swimming at Aunt Ma'ams! Although we took a little dip Friday at Jean Marie's pool. We won't know the real stats until her appointment on Wednesday- but she is growing leaps and bounds. She is sitting up and starting to like her bumbo seat now. She loves to hold toys and "play with them" aka put them straight in her mouth!

She is such the happy baby and content just being carted around where ever we may be going. This weekend we went to the Catawba Women's Center 40th Anniversary. I have been a patient there for 13 years, my dad is an OB/GYN there, and they delivered BOTH of my beautiful babes! Lauren and Lisa came with us and I'm so glad they did!
There were bounce houses and slides, a train ride, balloons, face painting, ambulance tours, chair massages and roses (for the moms). We enjoyed hot dogs, cupcakes, and Rita's Italian Ice!!!
Chatham and Lauren got to spend some time with Poppy while he took a break from visiting with other patients that came to play. Chatham thought it was Poppy's birthday party- we're in big trouble next year when he wants all of these things at his party!!

Happy 40 years CWC!!!!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Good Morning Sunshine!

This is what a morning at the Donleys looks like.Getting bottles ready, bags packed, and everyone out the door by 6:50.
Harper usually gets a bottle, then relaxes while we load up the car.
Chatham had Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Little Einsteins on while he eats breakfast, but as soon as his bowl is empty he runs for his trike!

This particular morning he was all about chatting with Harper and seeing how she is liking daycare!

Monday, May 7, 2012

When you thought I wasn't looking


When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn’t looking,  I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it  and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it is all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thank you for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Getting Canned!!

We went to Calahaln's Farm in Mocksville today with the Wade's- it's strawberry season and we had a ball!

Harper even had fun in the backpack. Luckily the clouds came and kept it just overcast enough that it wasn't too bright and hot, but we beat the rain.

I don't know if the kiddos put more berries in their baskets or their tummies!

 What a good looking bunch! The Wade's are canning experts and were happy to show us the ropes when we got home. Also, with it being Cinco de Mayo we had tacos and fresh strawberry daquaris.



I stirred the Pectin, Paul washed and decored the strawberries, and Lisa stirred the final product.

And the finished product! 

Friday, May 4, 2012

Sanger Pediatric Cardiology

Yesterday, Chatham had a cardiology appointment. At his three year well check, Dr. S heard a murmur- we hadn't heard the murmur since Chatham's days in the NICU. She told me not to worry, this is common and she is overly cautious (as am I) and wanted us to get a Echo (EEG) done. No rush, just when ever the Charlotte docs were doing a Hickory rotation. So about 3 weeks ago I got a call saying May 3rd was the day.
Chatham LOVED their waiting room! It had these BIG marble mazes on the wall, a lawnmower "JUST like Ga-Ram-za" and this neat computer toy (below) that had four different games on it. Chatham manipulated that machine like he had been playing it for years. It was so neat to see his wheels turning and how much he knows. We did the picture search, color and read- where you color the picture and then it tells you a story about what you colored, and then we did the Farm game at least 27 times (no exaggeration....we waited an hour!)
When it was time for us to go back he did great until they attached the wires. Then he freaked out! He wouldn't take off his shirt so I had to sit on the table holding him and lifting his shirt while he cried and squirmed. The nurse laughed though after the first EEG reading because even with him crying and panting he still passed with flying colors! She let Chatham take that reading home to show Daddy and she did another scan.
Long story short- Chatham has what is called a Stills Murmur and will grow out of it as he gets older. No issues found and no limitations for sports and other activities. We have one healthy boy!!!! 

Thursday, May 3, 2012

SEE! Parenting can be fun!

We had hit a rough patch....wetting the bed at night, baby spitting up, wetting the pants during the day, baby not sleeping except while being held, hitting friends, baby spitting up, not listening.... I was struggling to see the fun in parenting.
But- we've turned a corner. Our beds and pants are dry! Chatham tells us all the time about hands being for loving and not hitting. He's following instructions better, and Harper is sleeping through the night (I'm talking 9:30-6:00). While we still have a LITTLE bit of 3-year old whiny-ness and baby spit up things are looking good.
Last night we had a dance party in the playroom before bed. Harper, Chatham, Mommy, and Daddy were all gettin' down to some "Hippo in the Bath Tub" and "Teddy Bear Picnic". Chatham and I went spelunking in a cave (aka too many bubbles and glow sticks in a dark bathroom) at bath time! We completed Chatham's gingerbread-self for school (complete with cowboy gun and bandanna and soccer cleats)- I will post a pic soon. Harper is SO close to rolling over, LOVES to sit up (with assistance of course) and puts everything in her mouth any chance she gets. Chatham is SO sweet, gentle,and cuddly with Harper!!! It melts my heart to see them together.
So as you can see, I have once again found the fun in parenting and am loving the few hours with my kids I have every evening- that being said if you happen to come over at any point in the near future pardon the mess- but I'm busying playing mommy- NOT playing house!


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Big News!

Harper started daycare this week- here are a few of the pictures I have of her there.
Here he is eating her bib and lifting her tutu!
Chatham got his Soccer trophy for completing his first season of coed 3 year-4 year old soccer at the YMCA
 And here is a picture of Chatham at snack time, he is very happy to have his "sissy" as he has started calling her, at school with him.